OT 356: Letter from Gillian Merron, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to the Chairman of the Committee: Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI): Commission of Inquiry

I write to ensure you are up to date on recent events in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Governor has again extended the time for the Commission of Inquiry to present its final report to 31 May 2009. This is due, in part, to a lengthier than expected Salmon Letter exercise (which gives recipients the opportunity to make representations to the Commission). A copy of the Governor's press statement is attached for your information.[1]

In April, the former Premier, Michael Misick, lodged an application for Judicial Review. On 1 May, the UK courts dismissed the application. Lord Justice Carnworth concluded that if the gravity of the Commissioner's provisional conclusions is substantiated in the final report, it is clearly vitally important that the UK Government should be able to take urgent action to deal with the matter, and indeed would be open to serious criticism if it failed to do so. On 8 May, lawyers acting on behalf of Michael Misick sought permission to appeal this decision.

Please let me know if you would like any further information. I hope this is helpful.

 

18 May 2009

 

 

 

 

 

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[1] Not published as already in the public domain.